Vacuum capping machine



T. L. TALIAFERRO.

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUYLY 9,19I9.

Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I- T. L. TALIAFERRO.

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9.191s.

1,403,879. Patentd Jan. 17,1922.

"nun,

VA Cu UM PH 54550 To 011M551? UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcei THOMAS L. TALIAFERRO, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VACUUM GAPPING MACHINE.

.. 115 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1,.THOMAS L. TAL ArnRRo, a citizen of the United States, reslding at Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vacuum Capping Machines, ofwhich the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing' and to the figures ofreference marked thereon.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in vacuum capping machines,

and more particularly to machines of this character which are provided with a plurality of vacuum chambers operating in sucoes-- sion to vacuumize the receptaclesl An object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above character having a plurality of traveling vacuum chambers held in fixed relation relative to each other with a traveling means movable in timing therewith for inserting the receptacles into said chambers in succession without transferring the receptacles from the supporting means therefor. v

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above character where'- in the means for placing therec eptacles in the vacuum chambers is constructed so as to close the vacuum chambers after inserting the receptacles therein.

with a feeding means for thereceptacles which is so constructed as to place a receptacle in a vacuum chamber before the vacuum has been released.

devices for supporting the receptacles and for closing the openings in the chambers.

Still another object of the invention is to 5a. provide a vacuum capping machine of the type above described wherein the vacuum chambers travel about one cnten/a'nd the receptacles in said chambersand for closing endless 'conve in means for insertin the the vacuum chambers travel about the same um valve;

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above character Specification or Letters Patent. P t t J 17 1922, Application filed m 9, 1919. Serial No. 309,543.

center for a portion only of the'revolution of the vacuum chambers.

An additional feature of the invention re-. sldes in means to automatically stop the machine when the chamber in which the closing operation takes place has an insufficient yacluum therein to properly close the recepac e.

These and other objects will in'part be ObVlOllS and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

Inthe drawings, which show by way of illustration one embodiment of the inven Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus, the endless conveyer being broken away. at the center in order to show part of the closmg mechanism and the openings in the per phery'of the vacuum chamberthrough which the receptacles arecinserted;

F g. 2 is a plan view of the entire device;

F1g. 3 is a partial plan view of F'i 1 w1th the top of the turret removed (disc osmg the receptacles on the endless con'veyer withln the vacuum chambers of the turret;

Big. 4. is a section of the central vacuum valve and a vacuum chamber showing the seal ng device in position over a receptacle;

, Fig. 5 is a plan view of the central vacu- Fig. dis a fragmentary plan view of a modification of'the receptacle feed. show-' mg the use-of achain provided" with a receptacle support and vacuum chamber seal- 1n '-means;

/ ig. 7 is an elevation thereof; and

Fig. 8 is a detail viewbfthe vacuum-op.

erated clutch.

' The invention resides broadly in a. ma-.

chine-which is provided with a series of independent compartments having a fixed relation to each other and each of which may be formed into" a vacuum chamber, wherein said vacuumchambers travel and are brought in successionone after the other in position to be closed. Cooperating withthe traveling compartments forming the vacuum chambers is a feeding means which op-' crates during the travel of said compartments to place in each compartment a .receptacle to be put under vacuum and capped. This feeding means is constructed so as not only to place the receptacle in the. compartment while said compartment is free from vacuum, but alsoto place the receptacle in controlling the same so as to bring about the compartment without any transfer of the receptacle from the supporting means which forms apart of the feeding mechanism for said receptacles. After the receptacles have been placed .in the compartments, the latter are closed and are one after another put under'vacuum.

Associated with each compartment is' a closing'head which is located within thecompartment and which is capable of being operated by means outside ofthe compartment for forcing'the cap onto the receptacle when under proper vacuum. Means is also providedfor utilizing the vacuum in one chamber after theclosing operation 1s completed for placing another compartment,

which is approaching the sealing station,

under partial vacuum, thereby reducing the power incident to the operation of the machine.

' I The feeding means which places the receptacles inthe vacuum chambers is provided with means for closingthe chambers after having inserted the; receptacles therein, and this reduces to a minimum the number of parts of the machine and greatly simplifies"- the "entire construction. Shitable means is-provided for exhausting the air jfromthe variouscompartments, and suitoperation fallsv below a predetermined eferringmore particularly'to the draw able valvemechaznisnr is) also provided for gradually the vacuum in each compartment and in succession one after the other, and

utilizing, as above stated, the vacuum in a ings', it will be seen'tliat the present .embodimeirtof-the invention comprises a'base or standard 10 of any desired shape, preferably triangular, having upstandingsupports 11 at each apex thereof, which supports provide bearings for an equal numher of shafts '12 carrying on their upper ends I freely rotatable guides'or pulleys 13, 14 and '15, These pulleys have rather broad faces and are adapted'to accommodate an endless band or conveyi means in the shape of a belt lor chain Located' intermediate these three rotatable guides is a turret mechanism omprisingasdrum 18 mounted to rotate ona shaft 19'having its bearings in a support 20 projecting upwardly from the triangular base 10. This turret is'located m close proximity to the two rotatable guides 13 and 14 at the end of the triangular base,

rial, is ada ma and the endless band is adapted to pass about the gulde 13, then almost completely around the tunnet 18, around the second and third pulleys 14 and. 15, and back to the first pulley 13in an endless path.

The turret or drum 18 may be rotated in an desired manner; preferably by being 'drlven directly from the main drive shaft 16, as shown in the drawings, wherein the bevel gear 21v fixed to the turret. shaft 19 meshes with and is adapted to be turned by a bevel gear 22 fixed on one end of the horizontally arranged main driving shaft 16 whichin turn is driven b the driving pulley 23. Instead of drivmg the turret, it may be'rotated by frictional engagement with the sumface of the beltin which case one or more of the guides .13, 14 and 15 would have to be positively driven by suitably eared COIHIGCtOllS to the main drive shaft. If desired, both-turret and guides may be positively driven.

The endless band 17 constitutes means for feeding receptacles 24' to the rotatingdrum,

or turret 18 and to this. endthe outside face ofthe band is provided at proper; inf tervals with a plurality of L-shaped brackets 25 of gla$, metal or any desired material attached theretoin any desirable manner. The base 26 of each bracket-projects at right angles to the face of the bandand is providedvwith acentering device in the form of :2; lug 27 having two projecting arms 28 adapted to receive therebetween the receptacles to' be sealed for centering the same. The lug 27 has adjustment endwise through a block 29 mounted on the bracket base. Obviously any construction of bracket may beused and any type of centering device may be substituted.

The rotatabletunet 18 is provided with a series of vertical; radially arranged, "vanes 30, dividing the drum into a traveling series of independent sealing compartments .or vacuum chambers 1, 2,3, 4, 5 and 6, held infixedrelation to each other.. In order that the receptacle 24 may be inserted in these vacuum chambers in succesion without transferring thereceptacle'sfrom their supporting brackets 25 on the endless conveyer 17, the peripheral ball 33 of each chamber is provided with an opening 34 of suflicient size to admit a bracket 25 and itsflreceptacle 24 carried by the traveling belt 17;

andthe rotationof the turret and belt are so timed that, as the brackets 25 travel around the gu des 13, 14 and 15, each one in turn enters into a corresponding compart- I ment of the turret and on a. complete rotation thereof is dischargedand continues its travel around the belt to receive another receptacle to be closed. The belt,

which is made of rubber or any like mateto makhn air-tight connection with the periphery of theturret .to seal the peripheral openings 34 of the vacuum chambers enclosing the brackets and receptacles on the endless band as it passes about the turret.

jects from the base upwardly through the drum support 20,. the turret shaft 19 and extends into the axis of the turret to forma bearing therefor, the end thereof being in the form of a stationary valve 31 havingan enlarged mushroom-shaped head 36 extending through the top of the'turret. Within the drum the ipe 35 is formed with a radial slot 32 proviging an inlet. port to register with small ports 37in the side walls of each compartment as the drum rotates relative to the pipe- Preferably the radial slot 32 is of such width as to register with two inlet ports 37 of two adjoining compartments, such as 2 and 3, Fi 5 thus aflording a simultaneous exhaustlon of the air therefrom. Ports 38 are also arranged in the top walls of each' compartment and each such port 38 is adapted to register successively with aport39 in the top of the'enla-rged head 36 of the valve as the drum revolves, so that the vacuum in each compartment is placed in communication with the atmosphere; L

.The central controlling valve 31 is also provided with'means for utilizing the vacuum in one chamber afterthe closing operation is completed therein for placing another compartmentwhich is approaching the closiIig position under partial vacuum. For this purpose, the enlarged head 36 is also provided with an interior cross passage 40 adapted to connect the exhaust ports 38 arranged in' the tops of two opposed compartments. As shown in Fig. 7, this passage 40 is illustrated as putting the vacuum chambers 1 and 4 in communication. In such position of the turret, chamber 1 hasfi nished its sealing operation and the' vacuum therein is no longer of use, while the chamber 1 has just been closed by the belt and is at atmos- By interconnecting these chambers, the vacuum in chamber .4 is dipheric pressure.

vided between the two, thus initiating a vacuum in the first chamber without the expense I of additional power. It is also apparent that other arrangements of valve mechanism for exhausting the air from these chambers are within the contemplation of the invent-ion.

For performing the closing operation, there is arranged in each compartment any type of closing mechanism. In the present case it takes the form of'a closing head 41 provided with a spring-pressed plunger 42 projecting outwardly through the top 43 of the turret and adapted to be pressed downwardly at the proper time by means of the to the vertical shaft 51 and provided with an eccentric 54 adapted to reciprocatethe other end 55 of the sealing-lever 45. For purpose hereinafter set forth, there is preferably provided means to independently throw out the drive to this eccentric which may take any convenient'form, such as a clutch for connecting the bevel gear to the -main. drive shaft. 7 I I To prevent the apparatus from closing receptacles when an insufiicient working vacuum is created in a particular chamber as it arrives'at the clos'ingstation, the machine is provided with a vacuum-controlled stop mechanism. As shown in ,Fig. 1, the lateral face of the driving-pulley 23 on the main drive shaft is provlded with one member 62 of a friction clutch, While splined on the drive shaft 16 is the other clutch member 63 adapted to he slid thereon by means of a shipper lever 64 pivoted to an arm 65 integral with the support 47. The free end of the lever is connected to a piston rod 66, the plston 67 of which works in a vacuum cylinder 68 suitabl attached to part of the sup .porting leg 4 which is provided with the usual opening to the atmosphere. The cylinder68 is connected by means of a conduit 69 to the vacuum pipe 35 which in turn is provided with a cut-off Valve 70. Surrounding the piston rod is a spring 71 adapted to normally hold said piston and rod in upper position so that the clutch is normally out against the action of a suitably weaker spring 72, shown herein as surrounding the main drive shaft 16 and adapted to assist in forcing the clutch to engaging position. It is apparent that any type of clutch and any arrangement thereof for accomplishing the same function may be used. It is also apparent that there may be a similar automatic or hand-operated I throwing out of operation the closing mechanism 45 in lieu of or together with the turret drive. g

In Figs. 6 and 7 there is illustrated a modification of the endless conveyer, wherein there are provided separate doors 55 for closing the openings in the vacuum chambers. These doors to which the receptacle brackets are attached are carried by upper clutch connection for The doors are of any suitable material and are formed with lateral arms 58 rovided- "with upstanding lugs 59 engaging in a suitable perforation in the chain link. Each door is provided on its. inner face with means 'for positively sealing the opening in the peoverlaps the edges 61 of the openings in the chambers when the door is in closed position. Obviously other constructions of sealing means may be used.

' r Operation.

. fed in any desired manner to the brackets 26 and properly centered, pass continuously in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig; 1 into the rotating turret 18. The first compartment is there given a preliminary partial vacuum by being connected by means of the cross passage 10 in the, valve head 36, with the compartment tjin'which the clos ing operation has just been completed. The

of the progressive vacuumizintg continuously moving turret has now arrived at station marked 2, the valve slot-inlet 32,-

Figs. 4 and 5, is then so loca'tedas to connect such compartment with the vacuunr pipe 31 and the vacuum is further completed. .Upon further rotation of the turret,;

the compartment is still kept in communication with the vacuum pipeto complete the vacuum, the receptacle now being in the closing position. The closing operation is performed by means of the lever end 44; depressing the closing head 41. In this connection, it might be stated that because action, and the uninterrupted rotation 0 there is no delay in the. closing function'and the "same is accomplished immediately. the receptacle arrives in. position. Concurrently with theclosing of the receptacle, the turret passesbn to station 4," where the vacuum therein is transferred in p'art through the valve passage 40 to the new chamber 1. Still further rotation of the turret'takes the old chamber to, station 5 where it is connected with the atmosphere, and a further rotation withdraws the completely closed receptacle from the turret, whence the closed receptacle-may be withdrawn from the endless conveyor by any suitable device-r In thlS manner, a continuous series of receptacles is rapidly passed through the .vacuumizing and closing qperations and it will be noted that because of the manner of,

gradually" exhausting the air from the receptacle as it passes to the closing device,

.the turret,

Furthermore, by means of a'connection bewhich the vacuum is no longer usefuland one of the compartments approaching the closing position, such latter compartment is given a preliminary vacuum without any expenditure of power by the vacuum pump. In case the vacuum in the chamber in which the closing operation takes place should fall below the required degree, because of a leak therein or some other defect in working, the piston 67,- which is normally drawn down under the action of the required degree of-vacuum, will be forced upwardly under the action of the spring 71, thereby oscillating thelever'64 to the right to disconnect the source of power and stop the rotatable, turret. The defect having been remedied, it is only necessary to reopen the valve 70 in the vacuum conduit 35,

whence the air exhausting apparatus will immediately begin the vacuumizing action.

When the required degree of vacuum has been reached, the'piston 67will again be drawn down 'to start the machine;

It will be obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and the arrangement of parts. may be-made without departters-Patent is 1. A continuously operating apparatus for closing receptacles in vacuum comprising' 'in combinationfa traveling series of independent chambers having'a fixed relation I to each other, common means for positioning receptacles into and for closing said chambers, means for vacuumizing said chambers, and meansfor-closing said receptacles while so vacuumized.

. 2. A continuously operating apparatus for closing receptacles in vacuum comprising in combination, a rotating turret provided with a plurality-of chambers having a fixed relation to eachother and having openings forthe insertion of receptacles, conveying meansfor closing said openings and-for positioning the receptacle'to-be closed in said chambers, means for vacuumizin tacleswhile vacuumized.

. 3. A continuously operating apparatus for said chambers, and means-for closing sai recepclosing receptacles 1n vacuum comprising in combination, a moving series of independent chambers, means for feeding receptacles tosaid chambers, means for gradually and suecessively vacuumizlng said chambers, means for closing sai'd receptacles while in said vacuum chamber, and means for connecting f a vacuumized chamber 'with a chamber of said series which is approaching said closing means for creatlnga partial vacuum therein.

- combination, means for progressively vacuumizing a series of chambers containing receptacles to be closed, means for closing said receptacles while vacuumized, and means for.

releasing said vacuum in said chamber after closing into a preceding chamber of said se-- ries to start the vacuum therein.

5. A continuously operating apparatus for closing receptacles in vacuum comprising in combination, a rotating turret provided with a plurality of chambers having a fixed relation to each other and having openings for the insertion of receptacles, an endless conveying means traveling circumferentially of said turret for closing said openings and provided with receptacle holders adapted to enter said openings and travel with said chambers, means for vacuumizing said chambers, and means for closing said receptacles while so vacuumized.

6. A continuously operating apparatus .for closing receptacles in vacuum comprising in combination, a traveling series of separate chambers having a fixed relation to each other and provided with openings, a movable series of receptacle carriers cooperating therewith to place receptacles tacles.

through said openings in said chambers and provided with means for closing said chambers, means for vacuumizing said chambers, and means for closing said receptacles while vacuumized.

7. A continuously operating apparatus for closing receptacles in vacuum comprispositioning means, said feeding and positloning means cooperating to form a closing chamber, and means for vacuumizing said chamber. v A

8. A continuously operating apparatus.

for sealing receptacles in vacuum comprising. a plurality of traveling vacuum chambers held in fixed relation to each other, traveling receptacle supporting means movable in timed relation therewith and adapted to insert receptacles into said chamber in succession without transferring the receptacles from the supporting means.

9. A continuously operating apparatus for sealing receptacles in vacuum comprising a plurality of traveling chambers, each adapted to receive a receptacle therein, means traveling in timed relation therewith for inserting the receptacles into said chambers, said means being adapted to close the vacuum chambers after inserting the recep- 10. A continuously operating apparatus for sealing rece tacles m vacuum comprisadapted to receive a receptacle to be vacuumized and sealed, said chambers traveling about one center, and endless conveying means for inserting the receptacles in said chambers and for closing the same thereafter, said conveying means traveling about .the same center for a'portion of the trave chamber falls below a predetermined degree.

12. A continuously operating apparatus for closing receptacles in vacuum comprising in combination, a traveling series of separate chambers, power driven means for feeding receptacles thereto, means for successively vacuumizing said chambers, power drlven means for closing said receptacles while so vacuumized, and means for disconnectingsaid feeding and closing means from sald source of power when the vacuum in said chamber containing the receptacle to be closed falls below a pre-determined degree.

13. A continuously operating device for closing receptacles in vacuum comprising in combination, a turret rotatable about one center and constituting a plurality of traveling vacuum chambers held in fixed, relation to each other, an endless conveying means for inserting the receptacles into said chambers and for closing the vacuum chambers adapted to travel about the same center for a portion of the revolution of said turret, said conveying means being adapted to rotate said turret.

14. A continuously operating device for closing receptacles in vacuum comprising a rotatable turret having a pluralityof separate vacuum chambers, the peripheral walls of said chambers being formed'with openings therein to receive receptacles to be closed in said chambers, a conveying means to carry the receptacles thereon and arranged to make peripheral contact with said turret to first introduce the receptacles into said chambersand to thereafter seal said chambers.

15. An apparatus for closing receptacles in vacuum comprising in combination, a

plurality of independent chambers, means for successively vacuumizing said chambers, means associated with each chamber for closing a receptacle, and means for connectsing a vacuumized chamber with a chamber about to be vacuumized for producing a partial vacuum therein.

16. A continuously operating apparatus for closing receptacles in vacuum comprising in combination, a traveling series of f separatechambers having a fixed relation to each other and movable m-a common plane onl mean sfor feeding receptacles thereto, sai means'traveling substantially parallel with the line of travel of said chambers duringat least a portion of the feedin opv eration,- means for vacuumizing said 0 am- ,bers, and'means for closing said receptacles while so vacuumized.

, '7. A continuously operating apparatus fer closing receptacles 1n vacuum comprising in combination, a traveling series of separate chambers having a fixed relation to each other, and movable in a common plane only, means traveling tangentially relatively to the line of travel of said'chambers for feeding receptacles thereto, means for vacuumizing said chambers, and means .for closing said receptacles while so vacuumized, 18. A continuously operating apparatus for closing receptacles 1n vacuum compr1s THOMAS L. TALIAFERRO. 

